~ ‘O ka Ho‘omana Bahá’í o Hawai‘i

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Martha Louise Root

Miss Martha Louise Root

Miss Martha Louise Root, Hand of the Cause of God, was born in Richwood, Ohio in 1872 of pioneer American stock. After completing a degree at the University of Chicago she embarked on a career as a journalist. She encountered the Bahá’í Faith and became confirmed shortly thereafter. For the next twenty years she roamed the globe interviewing the famous and powerful while spreading the teachings of Baha’u’llah. She was the first to travel and teach in South America. ‘Abdu’l-Baha wrote: “Thou art, in truth, a herald of the Kingdom and a harbinger of the Covenant.” He said, “Thou art truly self-sacrificing. Thou showest kindness unto all nations. Thou art sowing a seed that shall, in due time, give rise to thousands of harvests. Thou art planting a tree that shall eternally put forth leaves and blossoms and yield fruits, and whose shadow shall day by day grow in magnitude.”
When Martha Root passed away in Honolulu on September 28, 1939, Shoghi Effendi notified the Baha’is “Martha’s unnumbered admirers throughout Bahá’í world lament with me the earthly extinction of her heroic life. Concourse on high acclaim her elevation to rightful position in galaxy of Bahá’í immortals. Posterity will establish her as foremost Hand which ‘Abdu’-Bahá’ís will has raised up in first Bahá’í century.”

Directions from Honolulu Airport to Hand of the Cause of God Miss Martha Root’s gravesite

The gravesite is located in Oahu Cemetery at 2162 Nuuanu Avenue, about nine (9) miles from the Honolulu International Airport. The hours of the cemetery are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm • When exiting the airport, take the Interstate Highway 1 East (H-1 East) – proceed from the off ramp to the far left lane. • Take the Pali Highway exit 21A. After exiting right, turn left at the traffic light to Pali Highway 62. • After about 1 mile, exit onto Wyllie Street (right). That exit takes you over the Pali Highway to a light at the corner of Wyllie St. and Nuuanu Avenue. • Turn left on Nuuanu Avenue. Just after Robinson Lane turn right into Oahu Cemetery (2162 Nuuanu Avenue). Parking is free at the Oahu Cemetery Chapel. • Dr. George Augur’s resting place is on this side of Oahu Cemetery. Martha Root’s gravesite is across the street on the opposite side of Nuuanu Avenue in the other section of Oahu Cemetery.